Turn out that Lantern!

My great grandfather was a wise man. Like all seasoned fisherman, he had heard of his share of old wives tales of the one that got away (or the one that didn’t get away, but no one else was present to see the spectacular catch) - the one that should have taken 6 NFL linemen to help pull it into shore, but he somehow managed to gain the courage, strength, willpower and a great force from God to muster the thing to shore. It almost cost him his life.

He had a certain comrad of his that embellished his story even further as he grew older. "I'm telling you, Sam- That trout was thiiiiiiis big", while holding his hands out a couple feet.

Over the years he heard the same story over and over, but somehow the length of his trout grew larger and larger as old Tom became more delirious and forgetful about that one lonely day at the pond back in August of 1934.

I believe it was in the early 70's when my grandfather began speaking about his experience with his dad when he was just a boy. Apparently, he had fished on this particular bank all of his life, and specifically enjoyed the nights with his father camping out on the lake quitely awaiting the next gigantic catfish. As Tom's attention became evident, Sam would go on and on about how he would pull them in, and his dad would net them, and gut them. They did this for years.... until one night.

You see, they would lighten their path each night with this old, old lantern that Sams father had purchased at a flee market years ago. They relied on that lantern each night to guide them along their favorite path and lead them to their 'hot spot'. One night they had reached their final destination and it was time to 'stink up the hook' and throw in the first line.

As an old wise fisherman said, "If you have to sit down, your not fishing in the right spot"- That night was a catfish extravaganza. Sam and his dad barely had the time to bait their hook before the next fish was on the line. It was a night to remember. But what happened next, Sam will remember for the rest of his life.

Tom listened intently.

"You see, Tom- We were so caught up in trying to break a state record, that we were not paying attention to what we were doing". In the all the exitement that was going on, Sam had mistakenly 'nudged' the lantern, which fell off the bank, into the water and sank to the bottom of the lake. The great night had came to an end.

After a few years had gone by they had forgotten about that old lantern. It didnt stop them from visiting their favorite catfish spot from time to time, but as the years went by those visits became fewer and fewer. When Sam had grown older, and became a husband and father they barely had the time to visit that old pond anymore.

In July of 1957, twenty five years later, Sam called his father and invited him to join him on the lake to relive the old days. His father jumped at the idea, and the following weekend they were camping out under the stars at their catfish haven. It was a good thing the fish were not biting that night, because they both had a lot of catching up to do.

Tom listened.

"You see, Tom- Dad and I almost forgot we were at the lake. We talked about all the great memories we had shared at that lake. We talked about his grandchildren. It really didnt matter to either of us that the fish were not biting."

I believe it was about midnight when Sam decided it was time to check his bait. He began to reel in his line and realized that there was a large object that was caught on the end of it. He continued to drag the line in slowly.

"Tom, you will never believe what happened next. As the line became closer and closer, I began to recognize a certain silhouette of an object. As I pulled and tugged, it became larger and larger. We were both finally able to pull the object to the shore, cleared off the moss and loe and behold it was that lantern that we had dropped when I was just a boy."

"Wow, unbelieveable", replied Tom.

"That is not the end of the story, Tom. That lantern was STILL LIT".

pause

"Now, I have heard some fishy stories out there before, but this one takes the cake. That is a bunch of HOGWASH".

"Well, I'll tell you what, Tom. You shorten your fish, and I will turn out my lantern".

From that day forward, Toms fish did not get any bigger

Fishing with Kids

"Get more kids fishing more often". Teach a kid to fish and watch them become fishermen.

For many kids, trying something new the first couple of times may determine whether they enjoy that activity for their entire life. If you provide a fun experience the first few times, the chances are they will be 'hooked' for good. It is important to get it right the first time. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Let them help you plan for the fishing trip. If they feel involved, they will be more interested in taking part in the actual 'event'.

• Make sure they have good gear and know how to use it. Before your trip, go over what every little gadget does and how it works. This will get them comfortable and eager to begin, as well as keep them safe. Make sure to explain that hooks are dangerous and to maintain a healthy respect for them. It is important for them to understand that hooks play a big role in catching a fish, but they can also put your eye out.

• Dress them appropriately. The lake can get cold. It can also get hot- so be prepared with sun block and heavy rain jackets. Make sure to bring an extra pair of socks for the ride home afterwards. Socks can and will get wet, which can make a ride home uncomfortable. Dont forget Insect Repellent.

• It is important to teach them correct fishing techniques right out of the gate. Let them know that it is important to speak softly and move quietly. Sure, it is exciting to catch a fish, but try to communicate to them that it is important to remain somewhat calm so that they do not scare other fish away.

• Establish rules. No running, keep your shoes on, and look around before you cast. Remember, safety ALWAYS comes first.

• If your kid catches a fish, praise him/her with all your might. They will remember that moment for the rest of their lives. Dont brag about how yours was bigger back in.... If they catch a stick, praise them loudly, but encourage them to get a fish on the hook the next time around. KEEP THEM ENTHUSED!

• Bring games, food, and entertainment in the event that the fish are not biting. A big part of this trip is about conversation and enjoying each others company. Potato chips are an AWESOME fishing buddy.

• Relish this time with them. The moment will be gone soon.

• Set a good example. Always obey the law, and encourage them to abide by the rules. If you are close to your limit, explain to them that you might want to slow down so that you can remain at the site for the time allocated for your plan. Hammer down HARD that you must not catch more than your limit for the day, and explain to them the consequences of not doing so.

• Take kids fishing as often as possible. If they get 'hooked' on fishing, it will be a good thing. It sure beats the alternative of what some kids are doing to spend their time.

Go fish